Exploring Organisational Structure And Culture Management Essay

The aim of the assignment are to measure the outcome of students' learning in terms of knowledge acquired, understanding developed and skills or abilities gained in relation to achieve the learning outcomes.

This scenario/case study has been written to help you identify, analyse, outline and evaluate the problems covered in the assignment criteria. It is written to enable you not only to understand the behaviour of people within organisations and the significance of organisational structure and characteristics. But it also provides you with the opportunity to explore your opinion and advise others.

Case study

Assessment Criteria for Pass

Assessment Scenario/Case Study

Exploring organisational structure and culture (L01)

(P1) Compare and contrast different organisational structure and culture

(P2) Analyse the relationship between the organisation structure and culture and the effects on the business

(P3) Analyse the factors which influence individual behaviour at work

A large number of supermarkets have opened in the UK to take advantages of the growth in the UK economy.

In the supermarket business there are Sainsbury, Tesco, Asda, Morrison, etc. and they turn to compete each others increasing market shares.

Sainsbury's is best known not only as a supermarket retailer for Supermarket/Grocery goods but also its retail banking services and retail property development services. In retail banking the main competition comes from Tesco Financial Services, M & S Financial Services, the traditional high street banks, Egg, Halifax and Abbey National mortgages.

Sainsbury's believe that they have a range of employment policies to ensure that their workforce is as representative of the wider community as possible. Staffs often have a choice of work arrangements including: part-time, flexible contracts for retail employees, job share, home working, enhanced maternity leave/pay, paternity leave, career break schemes for childcare, and special leave for personal development or caring responsibilities.

Examine different approaches to management and leadership and theories of organisations (L02)

(P4) Analyse how organisational theory underpins principles and practices of organising and of management

(P5) Compare the different approaches to management and theories of organisation

In their mission statement, they mention, "Our mission is to be the consumer's first choice for food, delivering products of outstanding quality and great service at a competitive cost through working 'faster, simpler and together."

The company also has an Equality and Diversity policy, with a Steering Group led by a Board Director to advise the group. Sainsbury's played a lead role in the Business in the Community's 'Race for Opportunity' survey in 2001. There is a Fair Treatment policy for handling grievances and complaints and the company funds an independently-run confidential 24 hour helpline.

On disability issues, Sainsbury's are senior members of the Employers' Forum on Disability. They also support the Learning Consortium, helping talented people with disabilities to move into senior management positions.

Sainsbury's believe their brand is seen as representing quality and value for money, as well as high standards of customer service.

But, of course, every supermarket is a reflection not only of its own brand (Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda and so on), but also of the management within the shop.

Sainsbury's wants to give display space to popular, high margin brands; and the producers of these brands want to be associated with Sainsbury's and will compete with each other for the 'best' space within stores.

Examine the relationship between motivational theories (L03)

(P6) Discuss different leadership styles and the effectiveness of these leadership approaches.

(P7) Explain different motivational theories and their application within the work place.

(P8) Assess the relationship between motivation theory and the practice of management

Demonstrate an understanding of working with others, teamwork, groups, and group dynamics (L04)

(P9) Describe the nature of groups and group behaviour within organisations.

(P10) Investigate the factors that lead to effective teamwork and the influences that threaten success.

(P11) Evaluate the impact of technology on team functioning within a given organisation

"Sainsbury plc's present focus is to improve the performance of the core UK supermarket chain.

The company operates performance-related pay and bonus schemes for middle and senior managers.

Save-As-You-Earn scheme for supermarket staff offers chance for company shares to be bought at a 20% discount.

A profit-sharing scheme allows employees to have shares or cash. Roughly 50% of the company's shares are owned by current or former staff and it is this scheme that is largely responsible.

Under a staff discount scheme, employees receive a 10% reduction on products bought from the company.

Long service awards are given to staff with 15, 25 or 40 years' service.

Sainsbury's Supermarkets employs over 145,000 people. Of these, 60% are part-time and 40% full-time. 62% of employees are women.

Their policy is based on a commitment to:

Provide workplaces where all staff feel valued, respected and able to contribute to the business

Employ a workforce that recognises the diversity of current and potential customers

Required:

Prepare an assignment covering the issues described. The assignment must be presented document not more than 2500 words excluding the references and bibliography.

PART 1: Pass Criteria

1. Compare and contrast different organisational structures and cultures within the UK supermarkets industry. PI

2. Analyse the relationship between the organisation structure and culture of J Sainsbury PLC and how this affects the performance of business. P2

Specification of Assessment

The assignment consists of four main parts.

Examine different approaches to management and leadership and theories of organisation

Examine the relationship between motivational theories

Demonstrate an understanding of working with others, teamwork, groups and group dynamics.

Structure to be covered in the assignment

Introduction

Literature review

Findings and analysis

Conclusion and recommendation(s):

Evaluation Criteria:

The assignment should be well-balanced and present information efficiently with respect to depth of questions. The assignment should use headings and subheadings to effectively guide the reader and should avoid unnecessarily repeating information.

The content of the assignment should 'flow' easily so that the reader does not have difficulty understanding it. For example, the subheadings and material within each subheading should be linked logically.

Spelling and other grammatical errors are unacceptable. Information from the references should be effectively woven together with the conceptual framework.

The aims of this assignment are to measure the outcome of students' learning in terms of knowledge acquired, understanding developed and skills or abilities gained in relation to the achievement of the learning outcomes and criteria outlined below:

Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Grading Criteria

Unit 3: Organisations and Behaviour Guildhall College

Merit Descriptors

Distinction Descriptors

M1: Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions

D1: Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions

M2: Select/design and apply appropriate methods/techniques

D2: Take responsibility for managing and organising activities

M3: Present and communicate appropriate findings

D3: Demonstrate convergent/lateral/creative thinking

Achievement of a pass grade

A pass grade is achieved by meeting all the requirements defined in the assessment criteria for pass for each unit.

Achievement of a merit or Distinction grade

All the assessment criteria and merit grade descriptors need to be completed within a unit to achieve a merit grade.

All the assessment criteria merit and distinction grade descriptors must be completed within a unit to achieve a distinction grade.

Assessment

Criteria

P1

P2

P3

P4

P5

P6

P7

P8

P9

P10

P11

P12

Requirements

1.2

1.3

1.1

2.1

2.2

2.3

3.1

3.3

3.4

4.1

4.3

4.4

Grading

Criteria

M1

M2

M3

D1

D2

D3

Requirements

2.4

3.2

4.5

1.4

3.5

4.2

Plagiarism and Collusion

Any act of plagiarism and collusion will be seriously dealt with according to the regulations. In this context the definition and scope of plagiarism are presented below:

'Plagiarism occurs when a student misrepresents, as his/her own work, the work, written or otherwise, of any other person (including another student) or of any institution. Examples of forms of plagiarism include [1] :

the verbatim (word for word) copying of another's work without appropriate and correctly presented acknowledgement;

the close paraphrasing of another's work by simply changing a few words or altering the order of presentation, without appropriate and correctly presented acknowledgement;

unacknowledged quotation of phrases from another's work;

The deliberate and detailed presentation of another's concept as one's own.'

All types of work submitted by students are covered by this definition, including, written work, diagrams, designs, engineering drawings and pictures.

'Collusion occurs when, unless with official approval (e.g. in the case of group projects), two or more students consciously collaborate in the preparation and production of work which is ultimately submitted by each in an identical, or substantially similar, form and/or is represented by each to be the product of his or her individual efforts. Collusion also occurs where there is unauthorised co-operation between a student and another person in the preparation and production of work which is presented as the student's own. (ibid)'

Extension and Late Submission

If an extension is necessary for a valid reason, requests can me made using a course work extension request form available from the college. Please note that the lecturers do not have the authority to extend the coursework deadlines and therefore do not ask them to award a coursework extension.

The completed form must be accompanied by evidence such as a medical certificate in the event of you being sick.